Awareness Building Activities for Communities

Hold a youth summit on the Day of National Concern and invite local officials, law enforcement, youth representatives, and parents to pool their best ideas for reducing youth gun violence. Invite participants to form an on-going task force.

Invite local officials to schools on the Day of National Concern to witness the signing of the Pledges.

Plant a local peace garden in memory of young people who have died from guns.

Encourage dialogue with young people and community leaders by inviting students to write to their mayor, sheriff, police chief, or legislators with their ideas for reducing gun violence. Have a "talk-back" session with open mikes in which community leaders respond to the students' ideas.

Hold a candlelight vigil for victims of gun violence.

Hold a community celebration honoring students who have signed the Pledge Against Gun Violence.

For the Day of National Concern, ask a local radio station to host a show about young people and gun violence. Get elected officials, young people, and popular role models to participate. For example, Chicago's B-96 radio station contributes an hour of commercial-free time each year on the Day of National Concern. In the past, they have enlisted the participation of Sammy Sosa, Brian Urlacher, the Cardinal of the Catholic Archdiocese, Mayor Richard Daley, and in 2006, Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama.

The Pledge

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that honors the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. This campaign against youth gun violence culminates each year on a Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence. It refers teachers, counselors, and community leaders to valuable resources, includes curriculum suggestions that can be integrated with existing academic programs, and contains information about how your school can participate.